Swim advisories posted for three Dade beaches

Miami-Dade county officials warned Wednesday against swimming at several Miami-Dade beaches after samples showed traces of fecal pollution in the water.

No swimming advisories have been issued for the following beaches:

Crandon Park South

North Shore Park (74th Street and Collins Avenue)

Sunny Isles Park (174th Street and Collins Avenue)

The advisory has been issued because two consecutive samples taken at each beach exceeded the USEPA recommended standard for enterococci — 104 colony-forming units per 100 ml of marine water.

The results indicate that water contact may pose an increased risk of illness, particularly for susceptible individuals.

By state regulations, the Florida Department of Health is required to issue an advisory to inform the public in a specific beach when this criteria is exceeded.

Additional beach water samples have been collected and further results are pending.

Other beaches tested n Miami-Dade showed no problem.

The Miami-Dade Health Department conducts marine beach water quality monitoring at 15 sites weekly. The sampling sites are selected based on the frequency and intensity of recreational water use and the proximity to pollution sources.

The water samples are being analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal track of humans and animals, and which may cause human disease, infections, or illness.

The prevalence of enteric bacteria is an indicator of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water run-off, wildlife, pets and human sewage.